The Dallas Cowboys’ ground game has been surprisingly potent this season, spearheaded by the stellar Javonte Williams. However, the immense burden he has carried highlights a critical lack of depth. In a strategic move to address this, the team has signed promising young running back Israel Abanikanda to the practice squad, a decision that simultaneously casts significant doubt on rookie Jaydon Blue’s future with the team.
Green Bay Packers running back Israel Abanikanda against the Seattle Seahawks.
Javonte Williams is enjoying a career year, racking up 955 yards and 8 touchdowns through the first 13 weeks. The primary issue, however, has been the absence of a reliable RB2 to share the load, forcing Williams to do too much heavy lifting. The unexpected emergence of Malik Davis (with a 43-yard touchdown run on Thanksgiving) provided a spark, and now, the addition of Israel Abanikanda is the next step in fortifying the position.
Abanikanda, a former First-Team All-ACC back who exploded for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns in his final collegiate season, is a powerful runner (5-foot-10, 217 pounds) the Cowboys’ front office has reportedly liked since he entered the league. While he has only appeared in 6 games over his first three NFL seasons, his potential remains an intriguing unknown.
This move, however, places the future of fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue in a more precarious position. Despite initial excitement surrounding his sub-4.4 speed, Blue has been a non-factor for much of the season and was already unexpectedly surpassed on the depth chart by Davis.
The Dallas Cowboys are clearly committed to upgrading the running back position behind Javonte Williams. Signing Israel Abanikanda is not just a necessary depth addition; it is a clear message to Jaydon Blue that the competition is intensifying, and he must elevate his game significantly to secure his spot on the “Texas-sized” roster.